The Penon Solid Copper Modular Cable Plug
Review summery:
"Sure if response is too spicy we can easily change cables, or choose a different DAP to bring about alignment. But what if we wanted to keep everything in place, only because the set-up works 80% of the time? Yet there may be the possibility of the OFC Copper Plug simply smoothing-out that last 20% of usage scenarios, plus being a great add to the extra 80% that already worked out? "
Would such a sonic accomplishment be worth the asking price of $35.00?
Penon Audio and their history:
Penon got its start around the year 2013, and in many ways that time was the start of a couple concepts, all happening at once. IEMs were just then starting to be taken seriously. Sure there were IEMs taken seriously sooner, Jerry Harvey Audio got its start in 2007, after making monitors for rock stars. And of course people were learning of the sound quality of “inner-ear-monitors”.....even then. But the full-size headphone got a head-start being invented in 1910. Still it could be argued that the idea of IEMs was way sooner than 2007; I mean Knowles was first a maker of BA styled hearing-aids in 1954............that in essence is really the start of “inner-ear-monitors”. But it wasn’t until the popularity of the smartphone that IEMs really started to take off. Before that time, only a few mildly eccentric Head-Fi members were really into it. But around 2013 two things happened. One, the internet as a retail force was becoming a reality and Two, there was all of a sudden all these IEMs from China. So Penon was at the right place at the right time. They invented cables to connect the IEMs newly invented to these cell phones now in common use. Penon then expanded their line of products to include Penon IEMs and ISN IEMs/cables. Penon was addressing the needs of the audiophile community. Penon doesn’t just make IEMs & cables. Besides the Penon brand, they are a retail house that currently represents/sells well over 120 different audio brands. Not only a retailer but a renowned cable builder, making over 50 different cables/adaptors right now. Penon also currently manufactures 12 separate earphones and 11 ISN earphones as of late.
With a history going back to 2013, Penon is the logical result of years in the business. With a Penon product there is no middle-man……as this is a factory direct purchase. Penon are simply more grassroots in demeanor. Such focus of intent expands even to their whole IEM line. With the introduction of ISN; a subdivision of Penon Audio...........ISN got their start making cables, then at end of 2019 ISN introduced their first IEM. Today Penon/ISN are responsible for having almost 75 products in production and for sale!
Currently Penon/ISN manufactures and sells.
ISN Audio Cable Products:
1) AG8 Cable
2) C16 Cable
3) C2 Cable
4) C4 Cable
5) CU4 Cable
6) CS02 Cable
7) G4 Cable
8) GC4 Cable
9) GD4 Cable
10) GS4 Cable
11) H16 Cable
12) H2 Cable
13) H8 Cable
14) H8Plus Cable
15) 8 Core Cable
16) S16 Cable
17) S2 Cable
18) S4 Cable
19) S8 Cable
20) SC4 Cable
21) Solar Cable
22) Type C Audio Adapter
ISN Audio IEM Products/Earbud products
23) D02 IEM
24) D10 IEM
25) EST50 IEM
26) H30 IEM
27) H40 IEM
28) H50 IEM
29) Neo 5 IEM
30) Neo 3 IEM
31) Neo 1 IEM
32) Rambo Earbuds
33) Rambo II Earbuds
Penon Audio Cable Products
34) Bass Cable
35) CS819 Cable
36) Fiery Cable
37) Flow Cable
38) GD848 Cable
39) HiFi Balanced Adapter
40) Penon Impact Cable
41) Leo Cable
42) Leo Plus Cable
43) Mix Cable
44) Neo Cable
45) Obsidian Cable
46) Orbit Cable
47) OS133 Cable
48) OS133 Adapter
49) OS849 Cable
50) OSG Cable
51) Space Cable
52) Storm Cable
53) Totem Cable
54) Totem Adapter Cable
55) Totem Adapter Type-C DAC/Amp
56) OS133 Type-C/Lightening DAC/Amp
57) Vocal Cable
58) ASOS Cable
59) RENATA Cable
60) Rhodium Plug
61) Purple Plug
62) OFC Copper Plug
Penon Audio IEM Products
63) Penon IEM
64) Impact IEM
65) Legend IEM
66) Globe IEM
67) Serial IEM
68) Sphere IEM
69) Volt IEM
70) Vortex IEM
71) Turbo IEM
72) DOME IEM
73) Quattro IEM
Possible new TOTL Voltage
75) Penon Tail Dongle
Almost 75 individual personal audio products.
PENON Oxygen-Free Copper Modular Plug
Redcarmoose Labs March 22nd, 2024
Description
CNC cut shell, carbon fiber protective sleeve.
Gold-plated Solid Oxygen-Free Copper
Compatible models:
PENON 3-in-1 cables Penon OBSIDIAN, Penon Mix, Penon Storm, Penon Impact cable, Penon Space, Penon Totem, Penon Leo Plus, Penon RENATA
ISN 3-in-1 cables: ISN Solar, ISN H2, ISN S2, ISN C2
Ok, so to make this really easy to understand most cable plugs are not pure solid OFC Copper! Most cable plugs weight in the vicinity of 4 grams when weighted on a simple kitchen scale. So what right?
Well the material you choose for every pathway of the signal affects the final outcome to your ears. Yep. So if you have tried any pure copper cables you know the tone. Pure copper in many cable construction ideas has a smoother tone than silver plated copper, gaining weight yet also diminishing the treble energy at times.
4.4mm plug weight:
4 grams the Rhodium Plug in weight
5 grams the Purple Copper Plug in weight
7 grams the OFC Copper Plug in weight
4 grams regular 3-in-1 modular plug that came with modular Penon cable
Per Dsnuts
Material choices:
So if you have been collecting and using cables for even a short time you have come to realize that make-up the cable will in-fact sway the overall character into a personality. At times this is small, yet at other times it is large. This is all dealing with perception of tone and stage character. Meaning if you use the same output quality of cable in relation to what you have been using you are still in the same part of town, and any differences will be noted but not drastic. So as an example many silver plated cables will perform close to the same. Meaning there are parallel characteristics to where they get stage placement (results) and the cables convey a nice balance of warmth and detail. This is in-fact why silver and copper are used together throughout the industry.
Yet we all are questionable as to how much silver is used, especially with the off-brand $7.00 cable, as they can’t obviously use a bunch of pure silver. And while this is not a cable review as such I don’t really want to list all the properties of each material used, but today we are looking at a Rhodium plated plug, a Palladium plated a regular gold plated plug and a whole plug made from OFC. You see because this plug is at the front it affects everything downstream eventually getting to the IEM used.
The IEM used:
In my testing often I have found various cables to perform the same until I joined them up with a single new IEM. Imagine that? Well it is not that much of a big deal, as the FR response of this new IEM is somehow able to mysteriously actualize the differences found between cables. Now typically this situation is referring to different cables that I just casually place together into a group of performers. Dealing with large groups of cables, it is natural and expected to pigeon-hole groups of like performers in the end. Only to be surprised at the difference in separation one IEM allows you to distinguish. With that said the OFC Copper Plug performs much like any pure copper wire you have been exposed to. Where just like Dsnuts listed at the top Copper as a transfer material goes ahead and transfers body and warmth.
Yet the kicker here is we have the freedom to exchange the regular provided plug on Penon 3-in-1 modular cables into use of this warming device.
Oh…….and if you are wondering if there is a large or small difference here…….again it is the response of the individual IEM in question, and of course the intrinsic tone of the cable you are using. But, yes, often sometimes dramatic and sometimes subtle...............I have experienced differences.
Why?
Why would we go forward and change-out the plug they gave us with a $35.00 and twice as heavy plug? To start it makes a cable like the Penon Mix way smoother. But remember it still totally depends on the destination IEM in question. Simple really.
Let’s get started with IEM,Cable and the OFC Plug:
Before we start I just want to make something clear. That it gets to a point to where it is endless. Meaning just like cooking and the cables and plugs being spices, there are understood and practiced values at hand. Sure somebody can go crazy and combine chocolate and steak together for success, yet possibly everyone at the diner table isn’t ready for such caloric overload. Also it starts to become almost endless when you contemplate the various mixes of cables, IEMs and DAPs……………not to mention everyone’s own subjective listening signature wants and demands. So to make this review clear and basic I’m only concentrating on a basic list of three IEMs, and six different cable usage scenarios. Why? Well number one because I can, and two because it is fun.
But truly I’m limiting the tests because I feel these IEMs and cables go to truly designate the use profile of the OFC Plug.
So in some ways I’m enhancing character and other ways I’m correcting tone to more of my liking. Remember it is everything involved which goes forward to designate your end tone. Starting next to your ear with the Ear-tip, then the Cable Material and design, then the Plug…….and finally the DAP. The character of each constituent involved goes to add-up to your final sound.
Top to bottom:
Penon Leo Plus Cable $239.00
Penon Mix Cable $149.00
ISN H2 Cable $79.90
Penon ASOS Cable $169.90
ISN Obsidian Cable $149.00
Penon Renada Cable $269.00
The Penon Leo Plus Cable:
8 Shares Gold-Silver-Palladium makes this cable a very stand out player. Being finally landed upon out of many to grace the listening final music tests in my Penon Quattro review a little while back.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/pe...iver-universal-iem.26959/reviews#review-32822
Why the success?
Probably there is a unique density and fullness that surrounds imaging. Gold alloy adds a deeper tone and depth, the Palladium adds imaging. Here we are trying to add a subtle deeper density to the start of the signal right after it leaves the DAP? For whatever reason here there was not too much of a difference between the regular plug and the OFC plug. Though the more and more I listened, the results came………like small rabbits quietly climbing out from the woods. This was not something drastic and not something totally that much different. Yet there was something there. What I can describe is a subtle separation of notes and an added contrast, though not a crazy new difference found….but none the less. It was as if the background became slightly blacker and notes were in better relief. Vocals were a tad bit forward, yet this was at such a level that it was anyone's guess if it was suggestive (confirmation bias) or real life?
I would like to write that there was in-fact added note density, because I have heard of such results from this Plug, but here maybe just the make-up of the cable made it close to a wash. But after five different back and forth changes, there was noticeable improvement, though it was subtle.
I was using the Sony WM1A and Penon Volt IEM.
The Penon Mix and OFC Plug:
Finally we are getting somewhere here. Yep, the results were real and of a noticeable difference here. Where I should have known prior that the energy of the pure silver wire mixed with the contrasts of pure copper inside the Mix would allow a window into this OFC Plug. Here is in fact maybe the very best definition, I mean really it is everything in the signal chain responsible for noticeability…..and I’m using my favorite Penon, the 10th Anniversary Model to test the cable and plug here. To be truthful the Mix is not something I use all the time with the 10th. The natural fall out of the Mix in place is that it is always using the energy of pure silver to maximize the treble spaciousness inherent to every test IEM. Whereas of late I have been learning to use stuff like the Renada and ISN CS02 to kind of open the stage in a softer yet still profound way. Subtly thicker darker tones of openness and detail. As such when bringing out the Mix it was like…..OH, ya…that is what silver air is like, I almost forgot. Yet this outcome is totally subjective……meaning you may want the extra energy of the Mix with the 10th and not even value the subtle reduction and added note weight of the Penon OFC Plug. Yet typically this understanding of tone is not always instant. It is the prolonged exposure to the brighter side that gives way to a (possible) recoil of wanting a smother darker tone. And while the stage was bigger with the included 3-in-1 plug, the images were not as heavy or warm. I mean this is crazy, coming from the Leo Plus ideas of subtle difference if any, we are now face to face with remarkable change in signal. The silver energy was candidate for remarkable alterations in tone differences to be found.
Is bigger always better?
Normally I will gravitate towards the bigger and more vibrant tone, yet here it is questionable if the standard plug (with its natural vividness) is the way to go in the long run. I mean sure I can go on and on about the added density and possibly inner details arrived by taking out the silver energy of the included plug, but you get the point. The OFC Plug is an alternative route to sound here, and a fun change of events at only $35.00. Here I used the 10th, and Sony WM1A.
ISN H2 and OFC Plug:
The company sister ISN introduced a trio of cables which all looked a little the same. You had the C2, the S2 and the H2. Where the H2 was maybe the most well rounded found, the C2 was copper and the S2 silver mixed with copper. After close inspection (together) each of the three had a distinctive different look from one another, yet apart they looked almost identical. Where this 6N+ OCC, silver plated OCC Hybrid is kinda the best of both C2 and S2 worlds with the right IEM and DAP. Also just to keep things real the original plug is aluminum where the outside barrel of the regular plug is steel, making the included plug weigh just 3 grams opposed to the regular 3-in-1 modular plugs which weigh 4 grams. At only 3 grams you can totally tell the weight difference of the 7 gram OFC Plug in your hand.
The results:
Noticeably more forward and real with the OFC Plug. A simple upgrade to a cable that truly (a cable made by iSN) deserves more love here around Redcarmoose Labs. There was obviously more room for noticeability of change with the Mix as there was more information range in the treble regardless of IEM in place for testing, I think? Where early on in the comparison of these two different plugs I got a clue as to it being bass replay differences. So that is kinda how these investigations go, where at the start side-by-side the differences may start to appear small but after further testing a style of (new) reality is discovered. Sure enough the included ISN H2 cable plug offered a great sound yet it seems there really was a small margin for improvement. First with bass volume and authority then added substance to the whole signal. In fact adding this plug really is a great route to go into continuing to get added life from this midrange cable! I used the H2 with the Penon Volt and Sony WM1A.
Stop and pause for a second.........things are about to get good!
Penon ASOS Cable and OFC Plug:
Laughably I just reviewed the ASOS+ cable and sure enough rolled in the OFC Plug (with the regular ASOS) for a moment just to hear how it differed from the Rhodium Plug and Standard Plug. The ASOS+ is a fixed Palladium plug and 2Pin Palladium pin plug.
In this case there is added soundstage girth offered from both the ASOS and ASOS+.
Yet there is an offered separation and note density apparent in the more expensive ASOS+. Still I don’t care, as the original ASOS and the ASOS Plus both are some of my most favorite cables to ever come out of Penon Cable Works. Yep, they are simply gaining ground from other choices due to almost not coloring the signal at all, but offering a wider fuller soundstage and signal clarity. So the question, which I already know the answer to, is how will the OFC Plug go with the ASOS once more!
OFC Plug and Penon ASOS Cable:
The Penon 10th Anniversary IEM:
You know as far as excitement goes, this is it. Why? Well combining one of my favorite cables ever with the 10th Anniversary is a treat. A treat because the last time I did this it was purely a blast. Only because now we are joining a big stage cable with a big stage IEM…………oh, and the fact that the 10th is my most favorite Penon ever.
Win-win:
Win-win is when you win the high school football game, get your picture in the small town newspaper, and because of what just happened get the girl in class you always wanted. Well...............that might be win-win-win, but you get the message here. And sure it can happen all in one night, in fact with this combo it is instant, the satisfaction and clarity and bigness is instantly happening.
Maybe the stage? Maybe the separation? Maybe the vividness? I mean I’m not alone in loving the 10th. Yet around these parts everyone is using a different cable and DAP. What that means is the 10th is well rounded, and it really is. And cables are funny things as they get respect for the amount of time they have been working-out in place. Call it job stability or kinship, but whatever it is this mental acclamation stuff is real and effective at having you keep a cable dear to heart. Maybe it comes from the trial and error of playing back so many songs from your library? Maybe it has something to do with cable ergonomics..........that you only perceive subconsciously? The results are the only thing that matters…….........that and if you get (the same) results time after time.
The 10th:
A lot of the times when we try to over analyze stuff we go right past the reasons why we like something. I mean the ASOS+ did more note density and was a tad warmer. The ASOS by itself and the OFC Plug is $169.90 + $35.00 = $204.90 and the ASOS+ is $215.00? Yes, the two cables are different in that I would probably choose the ASOS+ if I had to make a choice. Yet both cables are so different that you would be surprised how they were both useful and could almost be looked at as opposite. Yes, the 10th is really better with just the ASOS+ in place, offering thicker imaging and a style of un-cluttered activity that is truly special. It is like there is a forward sculpturing of events holding a warmer tone and a bigger stage still like you are getting the stage size from the silver included............only none of the harsh excitement often included with silver stage size.
Penon 10th and ISN Obsidian Cable:
Here we are utilizing the great Obsidian. Known for its use of gold to add weight as a personality asset, here we are trying to find out if we can make it that much better. Strangely this was actually a fairly big difference, which didn’t totally make sense being normally we would find more noticeability with the upper midrange and treble activities with a brighter cable. I have no answers here, except with the Sony WM1A the differences were truly noticeable and fun……..what was the most fun was just how the 10th was anyways with the Obsidian Cable pushing the low end thickness. More bass heavy than the ASOS and Leo Plus…….......here the drops were having a field day causing ruckus into maybe even how the midrange was interpreted? Still vocals with the OFC Plug were vibrant and forward, so strong that nothing, not even the bass could mess with them. This truly was a cable and IEM combo I should have given more time to. I mean it is heavier and meatier than most styles of playback I choose, yet today and now there is absolutely nothing to throw rocks at. Nothing! This is a winner through and through. Where the included 3-in-1 was great, it didn’t have the extra authority in places which this OFC offered.
Now I know that really the OFC Plug can work with both brighter and darker cables to add the same form of density, as has an IEM ever been too dense………I don’t think so?
Sure there have been times where playback could be too dull with whatever IEM we were trying, but simply note density (even if a small additive) is always welcomed and appreciated.
Noble Audio K-10 Encore Universal and Penon RENATA cable:
First off, if you forget what IEM is in your ears and try to concentrate on the cable at hand, you will be thrown-for-a-loop. Yep this Encore is one strange bird, really doing much against the rules as far as even, correct and complete playback. Even applied darkness...........any style of subduing, can’t keep-up with the brightness at hand.
The Encore is bright
That’s just the way it is. After trying the Sony WM1A with the Encore I found the Encore upper midrange/treble shelf to be that much more heightened by the midrange push of the WM1A…..so much so that while at times the RENATA has quieted that issue.........yet not here today. A quick transfer over to the WM1Z and HiBy R3 II showed that there was a way into enjoyment of the RENATA and Encore. And while shifting plugs back and forth there was a slight realness to the OFC Plug in relation to the provided regular 3-in-1 plug that came with the RENATA, there was only a small difference between the two.
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
Other cables other tones:
Here is a photograph of other Penon choices. The Rhodium Plug by itself really does the opposite of the OFC Copper plug enhancing the upper realm and pushing the treble energy and actualizing the stage into a different position from regular included 3-in-1 plugs. Both the Penon OSG and CS02 come with Rhodium plugs permanently.
Photograph top:
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90
Penon OSG with Rhodium Plug $299.00
Bottom:
A few in the 3 in 1 Modular Series:
Penon OBSIDIAN $149.00
Penon Leo Plus $249.00
Penon Mix (with 3-in-1 Palladium "Purple" Plug) $149.00 (Cable by itself)
Penon Space $99.90
Conclusion:
Here's the thing, the OFC Plug does (at times) add more meaningful changes, and at times the perception of change is small, yet still there. Sure the pure silver and pure copper vivid-contrast of the Penon Mix modular cable showed the most change. In some uses there could possibly be Mix Cable heat.............where changing to the Solid Penon OFC Copper Plug adds smoothness and predictability? All of the time there were noticeable changes; those changes were of a smoother tone and thicker density of overall response.
"Sure if response is too spicy we can easily change cables, or choose a different DAP to bring about alignment. But what if we wanted to keep everything in place, only because the set-up works 80% of the time? Yet there may be the possibility of the OFC Copper Plug simply smoothing-out that last 20% of usage scenarios, plus being a great add to the extra 80% that already worked out? "
Where the OFC Plug may not be always the final solution, but a combination of ear-tips and source changes may let you use a cable and IEM combo that you previously were limited in use on. Simply adding the plug can extend listing times, especially if your set-up is bordering on too hot. Or of course enhancing an already great IEM/DAP combo experience by simply going forward and adding the thickness and note weight realities.
$35.00
https://penonaudio.com/PENON-OFC-Plug.html
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Solid OFC Plug review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm
ifi GO bar Dongle
The Lotus Flower designates the Penon Purple Plug
Review summery:
"Sure if response is too spicy we can easily change cables, or choose a different DAP to bring about alignment. But what if we wanted to keep everything in place, only because the set-up works 80% of the time? Yet there may be the possibility of the OFC Copper Plug simply smoothing-out that last 20% of usage scenarios, plus being a great add to the extra 80% that already worked out? "
Would such a sonic accomplishment be worth the asking price of $35.00?
Penon Audio and their history:
Penon got its start around the year 2013, and in many ways that time was the start of a couple concepts, all happening at once. IEMs were just then starting to be taken seriously. Sure there were IEMs taken seriously sooner, Jerry Harvey Audio got its start in 2007, after making monitors for rock stars. And of course people were learning of the sound quality of “inner-ear-monitors”.....even then. But the full-size headphone got a head-start being invented in 1910. Still it could be argued that the idea of IEMs was way sooner than 2007; I mean Knowles was first a maker of BA styled hearing-aids in 1954............that in essence is really the start of “inner-ear-monitors”. But it wasn’t until the popularity of the smartphone that IEMs really started to take off. Before that time, only a few mildly eccentric Head-Fi members were really into it. But around 2013 two things happened. One, the internet as a retail force was becoming a reality and Two, there was all of a sudden all these IEMs from China. So Penon was at the right place at the right time. They invented cables to connect the IEMs newly invented to these cell phones now in common use. Penon then expanded their line of products to include Penon IEMs and ISN IEMs/cables. Penon was addressing the needs of the audiophile community. Penon doesn’t just make IEMs & cables. Besides the Penon brand, they are a retail house that currently represents/sells well over 120 different audio brands. Not only a retailer but a renowned cable builder, making over 50 different cables/adaptors right now. Penon also currently manufactures 12 separate earphones and 11 ISN earphones as of late.
With a history going back to 2013, Penon is the logical result of years in the business. With a Penon product there is no middle-man……as this is a factory direct purchase. Penon are simply more grassroots in demeanor. Such focus of intent expands even to their whole IEM line. With the introduction of ISN; a subdivision of Penon Audio...........ISN got their start making cables, then at end of 2019 ISN introduced their first IEM. Today Penon/ISN are responsible for having almost 75 products in production and for sale!
Currently Penon/ISN manufactures and sells.
ISN Audio Cable Products:
1) AG8 Cable
2) C16 Cable
3) C2 Cable
4) C4 Cable
5) CU4 Cable
6) CS02 Cable
7) G4 Cable
8) GC4 Cable
9) GD4 Cable
10) GS4 Cable
11) H16 Cable
12) H2 Cable
13) H8 Cable
14) H8Plus Cable
15) 8 Core Cable
16) S16 Cable
17) S2 Cable
18) S4 Cable
19) S8 Cable
20) SC4 Cable
21) Solar Cable
22) Type C Audio Adapter
ISN Audio IEM Products/Earbud products
23) D02 IEM
24) D10 IEM
25) EST50 IEM
26) H30 IEM
27) H40 IEM
28) H50 IEM
29) Neo 5 IEM
30) Neo 3 IEM
31) Neo 1 IEM
32) Rambo Earbuds
33) Rambo II Earbuds
Penon Audio Cable Products
34) Bass Cable
35) CS819 Cable
36) Fiery Cable
37) Flow Cable
38) GD848 Cable
39) HiFi Balanced Adapter
40) Penon Impact Cable
41) Leo Cable
42) Leo Plus Cable
43) Mix Cable
44) Neo Cable
45) Obsidian Cable
46) Orbit Cable
47) OS133 Cable
48) OS133 Adapter
49) OS849 Cable
50) OSG Cable
51) Space Cable
52) Storm Cable
53) Totem Cable
54) Totem Adapter Cable
55) Totem Adapter Type-C DAC/Amp
56) OS133 Type-C/Lightening DAC/Amp
57) Vocal Cable
58) ASOS Cable
59) RENATA Cable
60) Rhodium Plug
61) Purple Plug
62) OFC Copper Plug
Penon Audio IEM Products
63) Penon IEM
64) Impact IEM
65) Legend IEM
66) Globe IEM
67) Serial IEM
68) Sphere IEM
69) Volt IEM
70) Vortex IEM
71) Turbo IEM
72) DOME IEM
73) Quattro IEM
Possible new TOTL Voltage
75) Penon Tail Dongle
Almost 75 individual personal audio products.
PENON Oxygen-Free Copper Modular Plug
Redcarmoose Labs March 22nd, 2024
Description
CNC cut shell, carbon fiber protective sleeve.
Gold-plated Solid Oxygen-Free Copper
Compatible models:
PENON 3-in-1 cables Penon OBSIDIAN, Penon Mix, Penon Storm, Penon Impact cable, Penon Space, Penon Totem, Penon Leo Plus, Penon RENATA
ISN 3-in-1 cables: ISN Solar, ISN H2, ISN S2, ISN C2
Ok, so to make this really easy to understand most cable plugs are not pure solid OFC Copper! Most cable plugs weight in the vicinity of 4 grams when weighted on a simple kitchen scale. So what right?
Well the material you choose for every pathway of the signal affects the final outcome to your ears. Yep. So if you have tried any pure copper cables you know the tone. Pure copper in many cable construction ideas has a smoother tone than silver plated copper, gaining weight yet also diminishing the treble energy at times.
4.4mm plug weight:
4 grams the Rhodium Plug in weight
5 grams the Purple Copper Plug in weight
7 grams the OFC Copper Plug in weight
4 grams regular 3-in-1 modular plug that came with modular Penon cable
Per Dsnuts
- Silver for its highest transparency and stage enhancing.
- Gold for that rich tone and depth.
- Palladium for that remarkable imaging and detail.
- Copper for body and warmth.
Material choices:
So if you have been collecting and using cables for even a short time you have come to realize that make-up the cable will in-fact sway the overall character into a personality. At times this is small, yet at other times it is large. This is all dealing with perception of tone and stage character. Meaning if you use the same output quality of cable in relation to what you have been using you are still in the same part of town, and any differences will be noted but not drastic. So as an example many silver plated cables will perform close to the same. Meaning there are parallel characteristics to where they get stage placement (results) and the cables convey a nice balance of warmth and detail. This is in-fact why silver and copper are used together throughout the industry.
Yet we all are questionable as to how much silver is used, especially with the off-brand $7.00 cable, as they can’t obviously use a bunch of pure silver. And while this is not a cable review as such I don’t really want to list all the properties of each material used, but today we are looking at a Rhodium plated plug, a Palladium plated a regular gold plated plug and a whole plug made from OFC. You see because this plug is at the front it affects everything downstream eventually getting to the IEM used.
The IEM used:
In my testing often I have found various cables to perform the same until I joined them up with a single new IEM. Imagine that? Well it is not that much of a big deal, as the FR response of this new IEM is somehow able to mysteriously actualize the differences found between cables. Now typically this situation is referring to different cables that I just casually place together into a group of performers. Dealing with large groups of cables, it is natural and expected to pigeon-hole groups of like performers in the end. Only to be surprised at the difference in separation one IEM allows you to distinguish. With that said the OFC Copper Plug performs much like any pure copper wire you have been exposed to. Where just like Dsnuts listed at the top Copper as a transfer material goes ahead and transfers body and warmth.
Yet the kicker here is we have the freedom to exchange the regular provided plug on Penon 3-in-1 modular cables into use of this warming device.
Oh…….and if you are wondering if there is a large or small difference here…….again it is the response of the individual IEM in question, and of course the intrinsic tone of the cable you are using. But, yes, often sometimes dramatic and sometimes subtle...............I have experienced differences.
Why?
Why would we go forward and change-out the plug they gave us with a $35.00 and twice as heavy plug? To start it makes a cable like the Penon Mix way smoother. But remember it still totally depends on the destination IEM in question. Simple really.
Let’s get started with IEM,Cable and the OFC Plug:
Before we start I just want to make something clear. That it gets to a point to where it is endless. Meaning just like cooking and the cables and plugs being spices, there are understood and practiced values at hand. Sure somebody can go crazy and combine chocolate and steak together for success, yet possibly everyone at the diner table isn’t ready for such caloric overload. Also it starts to become almost endless when you contemplate the various mixes of cables, IEMs and DAPs……………not to mention everyone’s own subjective listening signature wants and demands. So to make this review clear and basic I’m only concentrating on a basic list of three IEMs, and six different cable usage scenarios. Why? Well number one because I can, and two because it is fun.
But truly I’m limiting the tests because I feel these IEMs and cables go to truly designate the use profile of the OFC Plug.
So in some ways I’m enhancing character and other ways I’m correcting tone to more of my liking. Remember it is everything involved which goes forward to designate your end tone. Starting next to your ear with the Ear-tip, then the Cable Material and design, then the Plug…….and finally the DAP. The character of each constituent involved goes to add-up to your final sound.
Top to bottom:
Penon Leo Plus Cable $239.00
Penon Mix Cable $149.00
ISN H2 Cable $79.90
Penon ASOS Cable $169.90
ISN Obsidian Cable $149.00
Penon Renada Cable $269.00
The Penon Leo Plus Cable:
8 Shares Gold-Silver-Palladium makes this cable a very stand out player. Being finally landed upon out of many to grace the listening final music tests in my Penon Quattro review a little while back.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/pe...iver-universal-iem.26959/reviews#review-32822
Why the success?
Probably there is a unique density and fullness that surrounds imaging. Gold alloy adds a deeper tone and depth, the Palladium adds imaging. Here we are trying to add a subtle deeper density to the start of the signal right after it leaves the DAP? For whatever reason here there was not too much of a difference between the regular plug and the OFC plug. Though the more and more I listened, the results came………like small rabbits quietly climbing out from the woods. This was not something drastic and not something totally that much different. Yet there was something there. What I can describe is a subtle separation of notes and an added contrast, though not a crazy new difference found….but none the less. It was as if the background became slightly blacker and notes were in better relief. Vocals were a tad bit forward, yet this was at such a level that it was anyone's guess if it was suggestive (confirmation bias) or real life?
I would like to write that there was in-fact added note density, because I have heard of such results from this Plug, but here maybe just the make-up of the cable made it close to a wash. But after five different back and forth changes, there was noticeable improvement, though it was subtle.
I was using the Sony WM1A and Penon Volt IEM.
The Penon Mix and OFC Plug:
Finally we are getting somewhere here. Yep, the results were real and of a noticeable difference here. Where I should have known prior that the energy of the pure silver wire mixed with the contrasts of pure copper inside the Mix would allow a window into this OFC Plug. Here is in fact maybe the very best definition, I mean really it is everything in the signal chain responsible for noticeability…..and I’m using my favorite Penon, the 10th Anniversary Model to test the cable and plug here. To be truthful the Mix is not something I use all the time with the 10th. The natural fall out of the Mix in place is that it is always using the energy of pure silver to maximize the treble spaciousness inherent to every test IEM. Whereas of late I have been learning to use stuff like the Renada and ISN CS02 to kind of open the stage in a softer yet still profound way. Subtly thicker darker tones of openness and detail. As such when bringing out the Mix it was like…..OH, ya…that is what silver air is like, I almost forgot. Yet this outcome is totally subjective……meaning you may want the extra energy of the Mix with the 10th and not even value the subtle reduction and added note weight of the Penon OFC Plug. Yet typically this understanding of tone is not always instant. It is the prolonged exposure to the brighter side that gives way to a (possible) recoil of wanting a smother darker tone. And while the stage was bigger with the included 3-in-1 plug, the images were not as heavy or warm. I mean this is crazy, coming from the Leo Plus ideas of subtle difference if any, we are now face to face with remarkable change in signal. The silver energy was candidate for remarkable alterations in tone differences to be found.
Is bigger always better?
Normally I will gravitate towards the bigger and more vibrant tone, yet here it is questionable if the standard plug (with its natural vividness) is the way to go in the long run. I mean sure I can go on and on about the added density and possibly inner details arrived by taking out the silver energy of the included plug, but you get the point. The OFC Plug is an alternative route to sound here, and a fun change of events at only $35.00. Here I used the 10th, and Sony WM1A.
ISN H2 and OFC Plug:
The company sister ISN introduced a trio of cables which all looked a little the same. You had the C2, the S2 and the H2. Where the H2 was maybe the most well rounded found, the C2 was copper and the S2 silver mixed with copper. After close inspection (together) each of the three had a distinctive different look from one another, yet apart they looked almost identical. Where this 6N+ OCC, silver plated OCC Hybrid is kinda the best of both C2 and S2 worlds with the right IEM and DAP. Also just to keep things real the original plug is aluminum where the outside barrel of the regular plug is steel, making the included plug weigh just 3 grams opposed to the regular 3-in-1 modular plugs which weigh 4 grams. At only 3 grams you can totally tell the weight difference of the 7 gram OFC Plug in your hand.
The results:
Noticeably more forward and real with the OFC Plug. A simple upgrade to a cable that truly (a cable made by iSN) deserves more love here around Redcarmoose Labs. There was obviously more room for noticeability of change with the Mix as there was more information range in the treble regardless of IEM in place for testing, I think? Where early on in the comparison of these two different plugs I got a clue as to it being bass replay differences. So that is kinda how these investigations go, where at the start side-by-side the differences may start to appear small but after further testing a style of (new) reality is discovered. Sure enough the included ISN H2 cable plug offered a great sound yet it seems there really was a small margin for improvement. First with bass volume and authority then added substance to the whole signal. In fact adding this plug really is a great route to go into continuing to get added life from this midrange cable! I used the H2 with the Penon Volt and Sony WM1A.
Stop and pause for a second.........things are about to get good!
Penon ASOS Cable and OFC Plug:
Laughably I just reviewed the ASOS+ cable and sure enough rolled in the OFC Plug (with the regular ASOS) for a moment just to hear how it differed from the Rhodium Plug and Standard Plug. The ASOS+ is a fixed Palladium plug and 2Pin Palladium pin plug.
In this case there is added soundstage girth offered from both the ASOS and ASOS+.
Yet there is an offered separation and note density apparent in the more expensive ASOS+. Still I don’t care, as the original ASOS and the ASOS Plus both are some of my most favorite cables to ever come out of Penon Cable Works. Yep, they are simply gaining ground from other choices due to almost not coloring the signal at all, but offering a wider fuller soundstage and signal clarity. So the question, which I already know the answer to, is how will the OFC Plug go with the ASOS once more!
OFC Plug and Penon ASOS Cable:
The Penon 10th Anniversary IEM:
You know as far as excitement goes, this is it. Why? Well combining one of my favorite cables ever with the 10th Anniversary is a treat. A treat because the last time I did this it was purely a blast. Only because now we are joining a big stage cable with a big stage IEM…………oh, and the fact that the 10th is my most favorite Penon ever.
Win-win:
Win-win is when you win the high school football game, get your picture in the small town newspaper, and because of what just happened get the girl in class you always wanted. Well...............that might be win-win-win, but you get the message here. And sure it can happen all in one night, in fact with this combo it is instant, the satisfaction and clarity and bigness is instantly happening.
Maybe the stage? Maybe the separation? Maybe the vividness? I mean I’m not alone in loving the 10th. Yet around these parts everyone is using a different cable and DAP. What that means is the 10th is well rounded, and it really is. And cables are funny things as they get respect for the amount of time they have been working-out in place. Call it job stability or kinship, but whatever it is this mental acclamation stuff is real and effective at having you keep a cable dear to heart. Maybe it comes from the trial and error of playing back so many songs from your library? Maybe it has something to do with cable ergonomics..........that you only perceive subconsciously? The results are the only thing that matters…….........that and if you get (the same) results time after time.
The 10th:
A lot of the times when we try to over analyze stuff we go right past the reasons why we like something. I mean the ASOS+ did more note density and was a tad warmer. The ASOS by itself and the OFC Plug is $169.90 + $35.00 = $204.90 and the ASOS+ is $215.00? Yes, the two cables are different in that I would probably choose the ASOS+ if I had to make a choice. Yet both cables are so different that you would be surprised how they were both useful and could almost be looked at as opposite. Yes, the 10th is really better with just the ASOS+ in place, offering thicker imaging and a style of un-cluttered activity that is truly special. It is like there is a forward sculpturing of events holding a warmer tone and a bigger stage still like you are getting the stage size from the silver included............only none of the harsh excitement often included with silver stage size.
Penon 10th and ISN Obsidian Cable:
Here we are utilizing the great Obsidian. Known for its use of gold to add weight as a personality asset, here we are trying to find out if we can make it that much better. Strangely this was actually a fairly big difference, which didn’t totally make sense being normally we would find more noticeability with the upper midrange and treble activities with a brighter cable. I have no answers here, except with the Sony WM1A the differences were truly noticeable and fun……..what was the most fun was just how the 10th was anyways with the Obsidian Cable pushing the low end thickness. More bass heavy than the ASOS and Leo Plus…….......here the drops were having a field day causing ruckus into maybe even how the midrange was interpreted? Still vocals with the OFC Plug were vibrant and forward, so strong that nothing, not even the bass could mess with them. This truly was a cable and IEM combo I should have given more time to. I mean it is heavier and meatier than most styles of playback I choose, yet today and now there is absolutely nothing to throw rocks at. Nothing! This is a winner through and through. Where the included 3-in-1 was great, it didn’t have the extra authority in places which this OFC offered.
Now I know that really the OFC Plug can work with both brighter and darker cables to add the same form of density, as has an IEM ever been too dense………I don’t think so?
Sure there have been times where playback could be too dull with whatever IEM we were trying, but simply note density (even if a small additive) is always welcomed and appreciated.
Noble Audio K-10 Encore Universal and Penon RENATA cable:
First off, if you forget what IEM is in your ears and try to concentrate on the cable at hand, you will be thrown-for-a-loop. Yep this Encore is one strange bird, really doing much against the rules as far as even, correct and complete playback. Even applied darkness...........any style of subduing, can’t keep-up with the brightness at hand.
The Encore is bright
That’s just the way it is. After trying the Sony WM1A with the Encore I found the Encore upper midrange/treble shelf to be that much more heightened by the midrange push of the WM1A…..so much so that while at times the RENATA has quieted that issue.........yet not here today. A quick transfer over to the WM1Z and HiBy R3 II showed that there was a way into enjoyment of the RENATA and Encore. And while shifting plugs back and forth there was a slight realness to the OFC Plug in relation to the provided regular 3-in-1 plug that came with the RENATA, there was only a small difference between the two.
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
Other cables other tones:
Here is a photograph of other Penon choices. The Rhodium Plug by itself really does the opposite of the OFC Copper plug enhancing the upper realm and pushing the treble energy and actualizing the stage into a different position from regular included 3-in-1 plugs. Both the Penon OSG and CS02 come with Rhodium plugs permanently.
Photograph top:
Penon Rhodium 3-in-1 Plug $29.00
ISN CS02 with Rhodium Plug $69.90
Penon OSG with Rhodium Plug $299.00
Bottom:
A few in the 3 in 1 Modular Series:
Penon OBSIDIAN $149.00
Penon Leo Plus $249.00
Penon Mix (with 3-in-1 Palladium "Purple" Plug) $149.00 (Cable by itself)
Penon Space $99.90
Conclusion:
Here's the thing, the OFC Plug does (at times) add more meaningful changes, and at times the perception of change is small, yet still there. Sure the pure silver and pure copper vivid-contrast of the Penon Mix modular cable showed the most change. In some uses there could possibly be Mix Cable heat.............where changing to the Solid Penon OFC Copper Plug adds smoothness and predictability? All of the time there were noticeable changes; those changes were of a smoother tone and thicker density of overall response.
"Sure if response is too spicy we can easily change cables, or choose a different DAP to bring about alignment. But what if we wanted to keep everything in place, only because the set-up works 80% of the time? Yet there may be the possibility of the OFC Copper Plug simply smoothing-out that last 20% of usage scenarios, plus being a great add to the extra 80% that already worked out? "
Where the OFC Plug may not be always the final solution, but a combination of ear-tips and source changes may let you use a cable and IEM combo that you previously were limited in use on. Simply adding the plug can extend listing times, especially if your set-up is bordering on too hot. Or of course enhancing an already great IEM/DAP combo experience by simply going forward and adding the thickness and note weight realities.
$35.00
https://penonaudio.com/PENON-OFC-Plug.html
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Penon Audio for the love and for the Solid OFC Plug review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one person's ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
HiBy R3 II DAP 4.4mm
ifi GO bar Dongle
